A growing number of small businesses in Las Vegas are starting to accept Bitcoin as a payment option, according to a report aired by a local TV news station on Jan. 22.
Business owners said they are turning to Bitcoin to cut costs and get paid faster. Many pointed to high credit card fees — often between 2% and 3% per transaction — as a major reason for making the switch. For small and mid-sized businesses with tight profit margins, those fees can take a noticeable bite out of earnings.
Bitcoin gains traction as a payment method
Merchants said Bitcoin payments, especially those made through the Lightning Network or direct wallet transfers, offer lower fees and near-instant settlement compared to traditional card networks.
Some business owners also highlighted the reduced risk of chargebacks. Unlike credit card payments, Bitcoin transactions are final once confirmed, meaning funds can’t be reversed or frozen later due to disputes.
While Bitcoin use among Las Vegas businesses is still limited, the shift reflects a broader trend of the cryptocurrency slowly moving beyond investment and into everyday transactions.
What this means for merchants
The move shows a change in how some businesses are thinking about payments. Traditional card systems rely on multiple middlemen, processing fees, and delayed payouts. Bitcoin, by contrast, allows customers to pay merchants directly, often giving business owners quicker access to their money and more control over cash flow.
For customers, it also adds another way to pay at a time when inflation and rising service costs are making transaction fees more noticeable.
Industry watchers say this doesn’t mean Bitcoin is replacing traditional money. Taxes and most expenses are still paid in dollars. But adding Bitcoin gives businesses more flexibility and could put pressure on legacy payment companies to lower fees and improve their services over time.
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